Lee 216

Overview

Lee 216 (full name: 216 White Diffusion) is a diffusion filter from the British manufacturer LEE Filters. It is among the most frequently used diffusion materials in film, television, and theater and is considered the "classic" full white diffusion sheet in the Lee range. The filter is stretched or clipped in front of a light source to scatter the light, make it softer, and soften shadow edges.

Unlike color filters (CTB, CTO), a white diffusion does not significantly alter the color temperature; it acts purely as a scattering medium. Lee 216 provides a strong, "milky" diffusion, placing it among the stronger diffusion grades; weaker variants in the same family include Lee 250 (Half White Diffusion) and Lee 251 (Quarter White Diffusion).

Technical Data

The following values are from the official LEE Filters data sheet:

Lee 216 is available as sheets and in rolls of various widths. The filter itself has no color effect; the "loss" of approximately 1½ stops is due to the scattering of light over a larger area.

Usage on Set

Lee 216 is typically inserted directly into a filter holder (gel frame) on the lighting instrument or attached to barndoors with clothespins or clips. It is frequently used to soften hard sources like Fresnel lights or open lamps to create more even, flattering light for skin tones.

• Soft Light: Softens hard spots and reduces sharp shadow edges.
• Larger Light Source: Increases the effective source area, resulting in softer shadow fall-off.
• Freestanding: Stretched on diffusion frames (e.g., on C-stands or in frames) to scatter light over an area.
• Heat Caution: Maintain distance from the lamp with strong tungsten/HMI sources, as diffusion filters are heat-sensitive.

Due to its strong diffusion effect, Lee 216 is often cited as the reference when "full" diffusion is intended; for more subtle effects, users opt for the graded variants (250/251) or "Opal" filters instead.